Today's Features

Briley McKinley Marshall turned 3 on Dec. 10. His birthday was celebrated with a Ninja Turtle party. He is the son of Joseph and Chrissy Marshall.

His big sisters are Izzie and Cassie Marshall. His grandparents are Randy and Kim Bell and Dennis and Opie Marshall. His great-grandparents are M.C. and Irene Bell, the late Verna Liddle, O’Neal and O’Needa Terry, and the late Virgil and Patty Marshall.

The annual multi-church celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was held at McMillian Ministries on Sunday, with music and talks on the theme, “I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear,” as said by King himself.

McMillian Ministries’ Pastor Sue Greene presided over the service with her characteristic verve and openheartedness.

The annual multi-church celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was held at McMillian Ministries on Sunday, with music and talks on the theme, “I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear,” as said by King himself.

McMillian Ministries’ Pastor Sue Greene presided over the service with her characteristic verve and openheartedness.

Ricky and Becky Nelson of Independence announced the engagement of their daughter, Brooke Richelle, to Brian Matthew Hammack, son of Matthew and Sarah Hammack of Manassas.

Nelson is a 2013 graduate of Grayson County High School and plans to graduate in May 2018 with a bachelor of science degree in graphic design from Virginia Tech.
Hammack will receive a bachelor of science degree in physics in December, and plans to continue pursuing a master’s degree in physics at Virginia Tech.
The couple will be married on June 17, 2017, in Roanoke.

The lights are dim, the music low and tranquil with a meditative, Eastern flavor, and the instructor – yoga teacher and local potter Donna Ellis – is thoughtfully presenting lessons with her back turned to the qigong class, making it easier to mimic her motions as she slowly moves through a series of poses.

“Now, this time,” says Ellis, addressing the class, “we want to position our arms like we’re holding a big, invisible ball of energy, and move it around in a circle.”

The Galax Volunteer Fire Department’s HQ was host to the Community Food Fund box packing on Dec. 15, as community members volunteered to load up boxes with donated goods and groceries for 550 families in need in the area.

Capt. Mike Ayers, who kept track, said that the packing occurred in record time this year: 1,100 boxes in one hour and two minutes, down from last year’s one hour and 13 minutes.

Kenzi Juliann Hennis celebrated her second birthday on Sept. 5 with a “Jesus Loves the Little Children” party at her home with family and friends. Her parents are Chris and Lorie Hennis of Galax.

Her older siblings are Andrew and Faith. Her grandparents are Harvey Hennis, Judy Hennis and Gary and Jan Guynn, all of Galax and Julian and Patti Price of Luray. Elizabeth Johnson of Galax is her great-grandmother from Galax.